Weene Martillana
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Weene Martillana | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch |  Philippine Army |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Service number | 504735[1] |
| Unit |  1st Scout Ranger Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Hukbalahap rebellion |
| Awards |  Philippine Medal of Valor |
Weene Martillana was a Philippine Army enlisted trooper who was awarded the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.[2]
In 1955, Martillana and fellow Scout Ranger Master Sergeant Francisco Camacho Sr. were tasked by their commander, Ernesto S. Mata, to neutralize Hukbalahap guerrilla commander Eddie Villapando, who was operating in Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. In the subsequent military operation, Camacho and Martillana succeeded in killing Villapando and his bodyguards; Camacho died of wounds suffered during the firefight.
The intelligence operation, designated "Operation Secret", was deemed very risky. Camacho and Martillana posed as civilians and befriended Villapando and his bodyguards. On 20 December 1955, Camacho, Martillana, Villapando and two Hukbalahap bodyguards were aboard a jeep traveling the highway from San Pablo City and Calauan town in Laguna with Camacho at the wheel. He pulled over in front of the gate of what is now the International Rice Research Institute in Barangay Maahas in Los Baños, Laguna on the pretence of checking on the engine.
As Camacho got off the vehicle, Martillana did the same. One asked the other, "Malamig, ano?" ("It's cold, isn't it?"). The response was, "Oo nga." ("Yes, it is."): their pre-arranged signal to begin the attack. They grabbed two submachine guns and opened fire, killing Villapando and one of his bodyguards. The other, though seriously wounded, shot Camacho before dying; Camacho later died at a hospital.
Master Sergeant Camacho and Corporal Martillana were awarded the Medal of Valor by President Ramon Magsaysay, posthumously in Camacho's case.[3] At the time, the two Scout Rangers were the only enlisted personnel to receive the medal.